00:04The ongoing West Asia conflict has led to a major disruption in commercial LPG gas supplies,
00:10and the impact is being felt deeply in Indore's jewellery industry.
00:18In Madhya Pradesh's largest bullion market, around 11,000 skilled artisans from West Bengal
00:24rely heavily on LPG gas cylinders to power their burners and stoves for intricate jewellery
00:30designing and manufacturing.
00:34But with official gas supplies halted, these artisans are forced to turn to the black market,
00:40where cylinder prices have skyrocketed, now costing between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,000, nearly
00:48double the standard rate.
00:50Vibhash Durai, a representative of the artisans, explains that this crisis has brought all
00:56jewellery work to a standstill.
00:59He says many shops have already shut down, with others close behind.
01:04And finishing new orders without gas is impossible for them now.
01:10The standard price for a 19 kilogram commercial gas cylinder is approximately Rs 1,991.
01:18We were already purchasing these cylinders in the black market at rates ranging from Rs 2,500
01:26to Rs 3,000.
01:28However, following the complete suspension of official commercial gas supplies, a single
01:33cylinder is now fetching between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,000 in the black market.
01:41Despite the shutdown, jewellery contractors say they continue to pay wages while slowly clearing
01:47pending work.
01:48According to them, the future remains uncertain.
01:52Artisans like Santu fear they may have to close their businesses if gas supplies don't
01:58return soon.
02:00Many shops in the indoor bullion market had been forced to close due to the unavailability
02:07of gas.
02:09If the situation does not return to normal, I too may have to wind up my business here.
02:16Former President of the Bullion Association, Anil Ranka, adds that gold sales were already
02:22slow and now the conflict's impact is clear across the trade.
02:29Only customers with immediate needs such as those purchasing wedding jewellery during the
02:34festive season are currently making purchases.
02:36The situation is such that most artisans are left without work.
02:41If the conflict process, the entire trade will suffer as jewellery designing and manufacturing
02:47operations will come to a complete halt due to the lack of gas.
02:52If the situation continues, thousands of artisans in the indoor jewellery market could face prolonged
02:58unemployment, threatening the entire industry.
03:02The stakeholders of the bullion market hope for a swift resolution to the conflict so that
03:07the flow of commercial gas resumes, bringing life back to this vital trade.
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